Alabama

USC’s Matt Barkley Named Gunslinger of the Week

Quarterback Matt Barkley considered leaving for the National Football League after the 2011 season, but he decided to stay at Southern Cal one more year. Colorado certainly wishes he had changed his mind.

On Saturday at the Los Angeles Coliseum, the Trojans’ senior led his team to a dominating 50-6 win over the Buffaloes. For his performance, Barkley has been named the NRA/Lindy’s Gunslinger of the Week.

Barkley showed why his name was on the list of Heisman Trophy contenders to start the season. Just 50 seconds into the game, he threw a 55-yard touchdown pass, starting an avalanche of passes and points. Fortunately for Colorado, he only played three quarters.

For the game, Barkley completed 19 of 20 passes — with a dropped pass being the only incompletion. He threw for 298 yards and a career-high six scoring passes and had 303 total yards. His 95 percent completion rate set the all-time conference single-game mark for a quarterback throwing a minimum of 20 passes.

His six touchdown throws, which included four to wide receiver Robert Woods, raised his career total to 102.

Throughout the 2012 season, the top passing performance in college football each week will be honored with this recognition from the National Rifle Association and Lindy’s Sports. At the end of the season, the NRA/Lindy’s National Gunslinger of the Year will be named.